Washing machine hose attachment



Nov. 10, 1959 R. H. WE1-ZIELv WASHING MACHINE HosE ATTACHMENT Filed May 6, 1957 United States Patent s r WASHING MACHINE HosE ATTACHMENT Rolf H. Wetzel, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 6, 1957, Serial No. 657,393

2 Claims. (Cl. 210-136) washing machines is the fact thatlint which is normally v carried by clothing and which becomes dislodged from the clothing during the washing operation has a tendency to cover the surface of the clothes near the completion of the washing cycle. This has been recently overcome `in certain models of washing machines by placing a lint filter attachment within the washing machine. However, there are numerous washing machines either previously manufactured or now being manufactured which do not have such a filter attachment. Many of these washing machines are of the suds saver type and as a result, the lint which has been carried by the Water of the prior wash and then returned into the washing machine carries the lint of the prior wash so that it has a tendency to cover the clothing of the next wash.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an improved lint filter attachment which may be mounted on the combined discharge and return hose of a suds saver type washing machine and which, while it will permit the free fiow of water from the hose during a discharge operation, it will permit only a filteredreturn of the water into the hose during the return cycle of the water.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved lint filter attachment for the combined discharge and return hose of a suds saver type washing machine, the lint filter attachment including a hollow body adapted to be positioned on the end of the hose within the stationary tub or other temporary receptacle for suds water, the hollow body having an inlet fitting and a discharge opening, the two being aligned and the discharge opening normally being closed by a spring urged check valve, the hollow body also being provided with a perforated wall portion so as to permit filter return fiow into the hollow body thus ensuring the return only of lint free water into the washing machine,"

A further object of this invention is to provide a lint filter attachment which is of an extremely simple nature so as to be economically produced, the attachment being of such a nature whereby it may be easily slipped onto the discharge end of a combined discharge and return hose of a suds saver type washing machine and permit the freedom of flow of water from the washing machine into a stationary tub or other temporary receptacle for the water, and assuring the filtered return fiow of the water from the receptacle into the washing machine through the hose.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like 1 2,912,112 Patented Nov. v 10, 195:92

Vl'miriei'als refer to like parts throughout, and in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of the lint filter attachment and shows it attached to a lower end of a combined discharge and return hose;

Figure2 is an enlarged bottom plan View of the lint filter attachment; i

Figure 3 is` an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3 3 of Figure 2 and shows the structural details of the lint filter attachment; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the lint filter attachment and shows the perforated features of the top wall thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in Figure 1 the lower end of a combined discharge and return hose 10 of a suds saver type washing machine. Carried by the lower end of the hose 10 is the lint filter attachment which is the subject of this invention, the'rlint filter attachment being referred to in general `by the reference numeral 12.

As is best illustrated in Figure 3, the lint filterV attachment 12 includes 4a, hollow body'which is referred to in general by the reference'numeral 14. The hollow body 14 includes a bottomv wall 16 which is circular in outline and which has extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom a frusto-conical body portion 18. TheV body portion 18 vis provided at the upper edge thereof with an annular flange 20. The annular liange 20 is disposed parallel to the'bottom wall 16 and has secured thereto in overlying relation a finely perforated top wall 22.

In order that water may pass into the hollow body 14, there is provided an inlet fitting 24 of the hose attachment type. The inlet fitting 24 passes through an opening 26 in the top wall 22 and is suitably secured to the top wall 22 as at 2S. The inlet fitting 24 is normally telescoped in the lower end of the hose 1), as is best shown in Figure '1. v

In order that water may freely flow from the hollow body 14 during a discharge operation, the bottom wall 16 is provided with a discharge opening 30 which is disv posed in alignment with the inlet fitting 24; The discharge opening 30 is normally closed by a check valve assembly which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 32. f

In order to provide clearance for the check Valve assembly 32, the body 14 is provided with a base 34. The base 34 is annular and is connected to the bottom wall 16 by a plurality of spacers 36.

As is best shown in Figure 3, the check valve assembly 32 includes a valve member 38 which normally abuts against the underside of the bottom wall 16 and closes the discharge opening 30. The Valve member 38 is held in this position by a light coil spring 40 which is disposed between the valve member 38 and the base 34.

During the operation of the washing machine of which the hose 10 is a part, water carrying suds which has been used in a washing operation is discharged into a suitable receptacle (not shown), such as a stationary tub. Then after the first washing and rinsing cycle of the machine has been completed, the suds bearing water is returned into the washing machine through the hose 10. When the lint filter attachment 12 is on the hose 10, the water, during the discharge cycle, flows into the hollow body 14 and due to the fact that the discharge opening 30 is aligned with the inlet fitting 24, the pressure of the water on the valve member 38 causes the movement thereof to an open position and the water flows through the discharge opening 30. The return ow of the water through the hose 10 is caused by a siphoning action and since the valve member 38 will be in a closed position, v

both due to the siphoning action and the coil spring 40, return water can enter into the hollow body 14 only 3 through the perforated top wall 22. Inasmuch as the perforations of the top wall 22 are very fine ones, the return water will be filtered to remove the lint therefrom.

From the foregoing description v4of .the lint filter attachment, it will be readily apparent that it may be attached to existing combined-discharge and return hoses by the average housewife without any problem whatsoever and may be installed upon newly manufactured washing machines of the suds saver type. "Furthermore, it is readily apparent that the construction of theilint filter attachment is a very simple one Vand since it is formed of readily obtainable inexpensive materials, -it may be economically produced.

The Iforegoing is consideredas illustrative only ofthe principles of `the invention. `Further, since Ynumerous modifications and changes will readily occur to ythose skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to falling within the Ascope of the invention as claimed.

lWhat is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A lint filter attachmentV for a combined discharge and return hose of a suds saver type washing machine, said lint filter attachment comprising a hollow body, said 'hollow body including spaced bottomnd top walls, ,an

inlet fitting of the hose attachmenttype carried by `said top wall, an outlet opening insaid bottom wall .in alignment with said inlet fitting, a check valve below said bottom wall normally closingsaid outlet opening to `prevent return fiow therethrough, a supporting base for said body depending from said bottom wall, atleast a portion of said body being finely perforated to facilitate Vfiltered t 4 return flow into said body, said base including members grouped around said outlet opening and valve in spaced apart relation for passage f suds therebetween out of said outlet opening.

2. A lint filter `attachment for a combined discharge and return hose of a suds saver type washing machine, said lint filter attachment comprising a hollow body, said hollow body including spaced bottom and top walls, an inlet fitting of the hose attachment type carried lby said top wall, an outlet opening in said vbottom wall in alignment with said inlet :tting, .a check valve below said bottom wall normally closing said outlet opening to prevent return flow therethrough, an open supporting base for said body .depending from said bottom wall, at least a portion of said body being finely perforated to facilitate filtered return liow into said body, said check valve including a Valve member normally engaging said bottom wall and a spring for said valve member, said spring and valve member being disposed in said base.

References Cited 4in the file of rthis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 460,311 Perkins Sept. 29, 1891 603,548 Applegate May 3, 1898 814,211 Hungerford Mar. 6, 1906 1,062,793 Pendleton May 27, 1913 1,798,730 Dunham Mar. 3l, 1931 1,903,774 Burrell Apr. 18, 1933 1,945,824 Saxe Feb. 6, 1934 2,084,346 Jones June 22. 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS 15,529 Great Britain June l1, 1903 

